Petrol Smuggling Rings Lure Kyrgyz Women
Unemployment and rising poverty have driven thousands of Kyrgyz women into the clutches of the petrol cartels
22 Feb 05
Central Asia
Uprooted Uzbek Villagers 'Abandoned'
Uzbek villagers face a bleak future after being driven from their homes by an army offensive against Islamic militants.
22 Feb 05
Tensions Rise on Disputed Kazak Border
Astana foreign ministry protests after Uzbek border guards open fire on a Kazak family
22 Feb 05
Kulov Conviction Appeal
Felix Kulov's lawyers are set to appeal against his conviction whilst supporters threaten to stage fresh protest meetings in Bishkek
22 Feb 05
Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border Tensions
There are fears that border guard harassment of travellers and traders crossing the Kyrgyz-Uzbek frontier could provoke inter-ethnic violence.
22 Feb 05
Uzbeks Coerced into Buying State Papers
The Tashkent authorities have reverted to an old soviet ploy to increase circulation of dull state newspapers.
22 Feb 05
Afghanistan: Heroin Trade Dilemma
If the new Afghan government bows to international pressure to ban poppy cultivation the economic consequences could be catastrophic.
22 Feb 05
Kyrgyzstan: Clan Loyalties Mar Local Elections
Peasants vote along tribal lines in disappointing experiment in local democracy.
22 Feb 05
Kyrgyzstan: Uproar Over Detained Deputy
Protests are growing in Kyrgyzstan at the arrest of a parliamentarian who criticised the president over territorial concessions to neighboring countries.
22 Feb 05
Uzbek Police Abuse Scandal
Police officers suspected of fatal beatings are put on trial after public outrcy.
22 Feb 05
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